I have a ScanGauge II which shows live mpg among a lot of other readings. My '04 Heritage (5-speed V-6) gets between 21-23 mpg @ 60 mph.

 

why do the new f150 with the same v6 have such less power?

 

I have a 2006 w/ the 4.2 5-speed and it has plenty of power and my mileage is around 21 - 22 mpg. I have the 3.31 rear, going to get 3.73s. Just want a little more for pulling a trailer. I love my truck and have no complaints.

 

I've had two 4.2's now and I'm pretty happy with the engine. My first 4.2 was a 97 that I bought used and it did have the known leaking gasket problem which was fixed under warranty. Other then that the truck ran great, it had 160K on it when I traded it in. My second 4.2 I bought brand new in 02, I went to the dealership promising myself I would get the 5.4 but I just couldn't pass up the deal they had on the 4.2 model. Mine is the Sport model so it came with the 17" wheels, 3.55 LS ratio. I've been extremely happy with this truck and I myself could not tell a big difference in power between the 4.2 and the 4.6 engines.

My advice is the V8's are probably the best way to go but don't over look the V6, especially if you can get a great deal on it.

 

I don't think the current v-6 engine makes less power than the previous body styles did. I think the new body style is a lot heavy, hence a worse power to weight ratio, hence a slower truck.

Mike

 

why does the 4.2 make so much less hp than the Toyota 4.0, Nissan 4.0 and the GM 3.7?

 

The 4.0 Toyota's and Nissan's have DOHC and VVT. That makes quite a bit of extra power. I don't know much about the GM 3.7's.

 

I also have a Heritage, 4.2L, 5 speed, 4X4, and I get around 14 city, most of my driving is city. On the highway its ok, but when you put a Big Bear in the back of it and do about 65-70mph it sucks down gas. when I get new tires I'm going to LT245/75/16 see if that helps a bit with gas, right now I have p255/70/16 on it. Overall If the truck didn't cost $16,700 new, I would have gotten a F250 or a new F150
I say get the V-8 or wait and see if Ford puts a diesel in the F150

 

Optional gears are A1 suggestion for all driving except level highway. 3.73s are special order although avbailable.

 

A family friend works for a local road construction company. One thing she said was that the 4.2L engines lasted a lot longer than the 4.6L, all other things being equal. Ford somehow got the V6 right in terms of maintenance compared to the 4.6. If you want a V8 I'd say go all out and get the triton.

I would have killed for the 5.4, but I wanted a manual too bad. 4.2XL for me

 

i have a 99 with the 4.2 5 speed man reg cab and i have beat a friend of mine that has the 5.4 auto everytime we race

when he rides with me he comments everytime that mine feels like it has more power then his
i can get up and go alot quicker the he does aswell

both trucks are nice but i prefer the 4.2 over the 5.4 for the same year and then again i prefer deisel over gas anyday

 

Wow ?I have a 2006 4.2auto 4x2 styleside 8' bed.Before Troyer tunes and the xcal2 it was alright power slow on the take-off,but got to the rev limiter in decent time for a truck,after the tunes it is more then I was expecting.I keep up with the v-8's no problem,on the light and thru the gears no problem.I pull a trailer loaded with different things 3-5,000 lbs and it does a great job.In the city I get 17 mpg average, on the highway@ 65 mph I get 24.5 mpg average,80 miles round to and from work 45%city 55%highway and I average 20.5mpg on 93 perf.tune,20 on 93 tow tune when not towing, and around 17mpg when towing depending on the weight.18,000 miles on it since I got it 12/05 15000 miles on Troyer tunes.I have no complaints yet.I have not used any oil,water,or trans fluid.The only add-on is a k&n drop in and changing to the AF1 soon.PLENTY of po wer

 

Having just jumped from an 04 4.0 Ranger to an 04 5.4 F150 myself, I would say going to anything other than the 5.4 will be very dissapointing. I actually think my Ranger had a little bit better acceleration than my F150 has.

 

get the v8 i got the 4.6 and love it i got a 4x4 and get 15 mpg city 19 highway going 90 mph all i got to say is look at the price of used trucks autotrader.com say 5 or 6 years old what yours will be when it is payed off the v8s sell for a lot more you will get more than your money back

 

I have a 1997 F-150 with the V6, 5 speed and 110,000 miles. I use it a lot for towing a car trailer and a Mustang. In total I am hauling about 4,500 lbs. I have never had a problem with my truck, until recently my 4 wheel drive started giving me troubles. I have had it over 5 years, and I love it.